Wedding tiaras – Top 10 questions answered

Should I wear a wedding tiara with or without a veil?

There are no fixed rules, this is your day and you should do it your way.  For me the decision should be guided by two main factors

a)      By the ceremony venue, in a religious setting (particularly a higher or larger church) then veils are generally a must for that part of the day, even if whipped off quickly afterwards. 

b)      By the dress, if the dress is hugely detailed and elaborate you may not want to cover it up or if the dress is heavily textured with floral appliques it won’t sit smoothly.  If the dress has a high neck and sleeves, it could just leave you too swaddled and fighting for breathing space.

I recommend deciding the most important factor for you.  If the veil is crucial then select your headpiece around it, or perhaps when you take the veil off you add the hairpiece in its place.  If you’re in love with your tiara try it with your dress at a fitting and try on different veiling options, you’ll soon know what looks right and how you feel.

How do I choose a tiara?

The most important answer here (for me at least) is to be guided by face shape, then look at the materials and detailing within the flattering shape.  When you have a piece made for you this is much easier to control and ensure that you get what you really want.

Long or oval face

– Ensure that the tiara wraps round your head at least a little, if it is the same width as your face it will make your face appear much longer.  By ensuring it wraps around the head it appears much more flattering.

Square or round face

– Ensure that the tiara is not narrower than the face, otherwise it will create the impression of a much heavier jawline.

Prominent nose

– Avoid a tiara that comes to a point in the middle, it creates the illusion of enlarging the nose, the effect is more visible in photographs than in the flesh, test with a quick selfie if you need to, you’ll see what I mean if you compare it against a different shaped one.

Small face with petite features

– Don’t overwhelm a small face with a towering tiara that completely overwhelms.  It doesn’t need to be big to show up.  The tiara’s visibility can be enhanced by the hair style but I’ll come to that later.

How do I wear a tiara? Where should I position it?

Well who better to tell us than the good people at Tatler Magazine. They describe how if you place your thumb in the dimple of the middle of your chin then place your index finger between your eyes at eyebrow level, then carefully lift your hand so your thumb moves to where your index finger was and where you index finger now sits is where it should be positioned.

A good tiara will have the detail sloping forwards if the band is placed on a level surface, this means that when the band is place properly, at a diagonal angle, the detail will stand up correctly.

How should you wear your hair with a tiara?

That depends entirely on length and your style.  The one key thing is wear it in hair that hasn’t been washed for at least one day, otherwise it will be sliding out before you get down the aisle.

Can you wear a tiara in short hair?

Absolutely, Princess Diana did all the time, and so can brides.  Tiaras are not the preserve of long haired ladies.

What sort of up do hairstyle with a tiara?

It’s your day so do it your way.  You should look like the best version of you on your wedding day, not like some weird impostor who you’ll never resemble again.  If you are a sleek and chic kind of girl then go for the polished look, be that a beautifully crafted low chignon or something a little more beehive for height.  A small tiara sat against a higher hairdo will have more impact than if the hair is sleek to the head.  If you’re curly haired or much more relaxed, embrace it.  Meghan’s up do was definitely more tousled and modern looking and no less beautiful.

Can I wear long hair down with a tiara?

That really depends on the style of your day.  In snootier circles it used to be preferred but then again look at Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day.  I think the key is to take the side pieces to the back so that it sits better, the band is covered and securing pins or grips can be covered.  It also stops the face from being too overwhelmed.

Should I match my wedding jewellery to a tiara?

Yes and no.  It should certainly compliment but matching invariably cheapens the look, unless you are wearing the family diamonds.  If you are wearing a tiara, earrings generally don’t need to be too big or chandelier like.  A small dangle works as it is usually softer and more flattering than a stud.  Be careful of a necklace (not referring here to a pendant) and a tiara as it can frame the face too much,  you can end up wrapped in a big oval of bling, which if that’s your thing then great but I’d generally recommend just one statement at a time.

Tiara vs Headband?

I think this year we are starting to see the two merge as a trend with the halo style tiaras now available.  They are a more contemporary take for the modern bride as opposed to the more fairy tale variety.  Try an assortment on and see what works for you.  Don’t forget that I offer a sample service so you can try at home, with your hairdresser or at a dress fitting.

What are your other top tips for wearing tiaras?

Cover when spraying hairspray to prevent damage and dulling, if possible add last.

If needs be elastic can be added around the back to help secure, particularly a heavy  piece that risks rocking forwards

Don’t bend or reshape “cast” tiaras as the plating is likely to crack and flake and stones lost.  You are alright with any of my handmade ones, they will withstand gentle flexing to ensure comfort.

When the band is going to be on display, ensure it is matched to your hair colour by covering in a complimenting velvet ribbon.  I offer this service.

Don’t try and attach your veil to your tiara. They should be worn separately so the veil can be removed, and also so that the veil doesn’t drag the tiara out of place.

I’m predicting a significant return of the tiara this year, in fact the last few bespoke bridal commissions I’ve had have all been for tiaras, that hasn’t happened for a long time. They’ve never really gone away but have been generally favored but those seeking a more fairy tale look, this time there are more fashion forward contemporary options in the mix too.  Having watched trends come and go for not far off twenty years I’ve generally got a good nose for these things.  2018 saw the weddings of Eugenie and Meghan, both of whom wore exquisite tiaras from the Queen’s collection and definitely created a huge resurgence of interest in this style of bridal headwear, which tends to take 18 months or more to be seen worn by brides as most plan their ideas long in advance.  This combined with the arrival of the headband in 2019 has firmly established the popularity of the symmetrical headpiece was opposed to the side tiara alongside hair vines that have dominated for years.  You can read more about 2020 trends in my earlier post.

Until next time

Harriet x

Images: Ally Byrom, Emmerdale Studios ITV, M&G Photographic.